A refurbished device can deliver flagship performance at a fraction of the price—if you avoid common pitfalls. Hryshchyshen Serhii/shutterstockConsumer electronics lose 30 to 50 percent of their retail value in the first year of ownership. Purchasing a one-year-old flagship phone in excellent condition at...

Repair technicians have been saying it for years, and the data are catching up. Appliances built in the 1970s generally lasted 30 to 50 years. Today, washing machines, ovens, fridges, and dryers get replaced about every decade.Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers trade group data...